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Compatibility for Myers Briggs Types Part 2

I’m back with other compatibility theories for the Myers Briggs types, as promised. Remember each of them brings a new and potentially confusing viewpoints so take them with a grain of salt. It’s up to you to eventually decide which makes more sense and is more accurate.

The tandem processes are the opposite cognitive functions that work together within a type to create psychological dynamic and balance.

There are four pairs of tandem functions: Ne ↔ Si, Se ↔ Ni, Te ↔ Fi, Fe ↔ Ti. According to Keirsey, types who share tandem processes are more likely to get along well and find common grounds for understanding each other.

Here are the groups of such types:

Se ↔ Ni: xNTJ, xNFJ, xSTP and xSFP

Fe ↔ Ti: xNTP, xSTP, xNFJ and xSFJ

Ne ↔ Si: xSTJ, xSFJ, xNFP and xNTP

Te ↔ Fi: xNFP, xSFP, xNTJ and xSTJ

For the compatibility model, Keirsey decided that not only the main tandem process must be shared, but also the S/N preference (which in many views is the key to a fruitful relationship). So here are the compatible types:

ENTP most compatible with: INTP, ENTP, INFJ, ENFJ

ENTJ most compatible with: ENTJ, INTJ, ENFP, INFP

ENFP most compatible with: ENFP, INFP, ENTJ, INTJ

ENFJ most compatible with: ENFJ, INFJ, ENTP, INTP

ESTP most compatible with: ESTP, ISTP, ESFJ, ISFJ

ESTJ most compatible with: ESTJ, ISTJ, ESFP, ISFP

ESFP most compatible with: ESFP, ISFP, ESTJ, ISTJ

ESFJ most compatible with: ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTP, ISTP

INTP most compatible with: INTP, ENTP, INFJ, ENFJ

INTJ most compatible with: INTJ, ENTJ, INFP, ENFP

INFP most compatible with: INFP, ENFP, INTJ, ENTJ

INFJ most compatible with: INFJ, ENFJ, INTP, ENTP

ISTP most compatible with: ISTP, ESTP, ISFJ, ESFJ

ISTJ most compatible with: ISTJ, ESTJ, ISFP, ESFP

ISFP most compatible with: ISFP, ESFP, ISTJ, ESTJ

ISFJ most compatible with: ISFJ, ESFJ, ISTP, ESTP

Duniho’s compatibility model is based on the same principles as the above, the only difference being that he suggested the E/I preference must also be the same.

MassMatch compatibility

Is based on 2 books ( “Looking at Type: The Fundamentals” by Charles Martin and “Just Your Type” by Paul D. Tieger) and can also be found on massmatch.com.

I’ve always been quite fond of this particular model, it seems to bring a lot of common sense and coherence to this whole compatibility nebula. Here it goes:

This model is based on Alexander Avila’s book, “Love Types” and is said to be the result of extensive research and study. It’s focused mainly on romantic compatibility and it also has a whole website dedicated to it – lovetypes.com.

What I found intriguing about this theory is that it splits type compatibility according to gender. There are consistently different matches for women than for men, even though they belong to the same type. And although I personally don’t believe in gender differences - at least not when it comes to personality – I think this model is definitely worth a look:

ENTP

women:

most compatible with ENTJ

men:

most compatible with INTP, ESTP

ENTJ

women:

most compatible with ENTJ, ESTJ

men:

most compatible with ENTJ, ESTJ, INTP, ENTP

ENFP

women:

most compatible with ENFJ, ENFP

men:

most compatible with ENFP, INFP

ENFJ

women:

most compatible with ENFJ, ISTP

men:

most compatible with ENFJ, ENFP, ISTP, INFP

ESTP

women:

most compatible with ESTP, ENTP

men:

most compatible with ESFP, ISFP, ISTP, INFJ

ESTJ

women:

most compatible with ESTJ, ENTJ

men:

most compatible with ISTJ, ESFJ, ESTJ, ENTJ, INTJ

ESFP

women:

most compatible with ESFP, ESTP

men:

most compatible with ESFP, ISFP

ESFJ

women:

most compatible with ESFJ, ESTJ

men:

most compatible with ESFJ, ISFJ

INTP

women:

most compatible with INTJ, ENTJ, ENTP

men:

most compatible with INFJ

INTJ

women:

most compatible with INTJ, ESTJ

men:

most compatible with INTJ, INTP

INFP

women:

most compatible with INFP, ENFP, INFJ, ENFJ

men:

most compatible with INFJ

INFJ

women:

most compatible with INFJ, INFP, INTP, ESTP

men:

most compatible with ENFJ, ENFP, ISTP, INFP

ISTP

women:

most compatible with ISTP, ESTP, ENFJ

men:

most compatible with ISTP, ISFP, ENFJ

ISTJ

women:

most compatible with ISFJ, ESTJ

men:

most compatible with ISFJ, ISTJ

ISFP

women:

most compatible with ISFP, ISTP, ESFP, ESTP

men:

most compatible with ISFP

ISFJ

women:

most compatible with ISFJ, ISTJ, ESFJ

men:

most compatible with ISFJ, ISTJ

For more detailed info on Myers Briggs compatibility, here are some good books you can try:

I would also like to know whether an INFP can be compatible with ESFP... i perosnaly think they could complement each other...the ESFP could be a good source of energy,protection and joy for the more closed INFP.

I've just lost a "friend" who is an ESTP. I am an ESFJ. We always argued but had some good times too. We work together and became friends. I found he lied a lot however and eventually became resentful of me and mocked my values and life. It was too much for me and I said I thought he was not a genuine friend as a genuine friend would not behave that way. We have barely spoken for 8-9 weeks. We are both males in our 30's. Any comments here.

I don't think type can actually 'change' over time. I assume that your S/N preference has always been a bit unclear, most probably because of an environment incompatible with your natural inclination. However, typing as ISFJ for such a long time indicates that this is most likely your basic type.

Perhaps it would be best to ask yourself if in these past 6 months your life has gone through certain changes or you've been under more stress than usual. Then it would probably mean that your basic type is still ISFJ but you're resorting to your Ni function to deal with your problems.

Ni (in INFJ) and Si (in ISFJ) are similar in a way, because they both reside in the left brain and are used for experiencing and adjusting new information into our inner worlds. Thus they are interchangeable to an extent and stressful periods can cause such a (reversible) change.

When we feel stuck in our lives, we tend to try and solve our problems using our crow-nest functions - in ISFJ's case, they are the Ni and Te. This is why under a lot of pressure from the outer world, an ISFJ might appear INFJ or (more rarely) ISTJ at times.

For more on the crow-nest functions and the way we use our less developed cognitive processes, I definitely recommend Lenore Thomson's book, "Personality Type: An Owner's Manual"

It is all very well saying two people will compatible with each other, but there is the rest of the world. INTP & ENFP are highly compatible (opposite genders) but the Guards SJ resent the pairing and there are lots of Guards around. ISTJ will be attracted to ENFP as opposites and they go around in packs.

Most compatible type for enfp-istpentp-isfpestp-infpenfj-istjentj-isfjesfj-intjesfp-intpestj-infj.

Why? They help balance each other out. These relationships last longer than others, because they stay interesting long after the initial stages of romance have worn off. Don't believe me? Do some research into these matches. See what you find. :)

I do not agree with the INFP/INTJ match. INFPs do not get along with INTJs. The first always need to be reassured, they need people to care for them while INTJs are independant and do not express their feelings enough to come to INFP's expectations. INFP are idealistic, while INTJs are to down-to-earth so much so that they drive INFPs miserable and less confident. INFPs are likely to get along with ENFJs for instance.

I've been studying Myers Briggs for 6 years, and its not realistic to say that certain types are "comfortable" with other types. I think its an interesting concept, but it holds no real value and is like having a parent tell you who you are friends with and who you are not.

I can see why it would be good fto have a J and a P in a relationship so one person can make decisions and the other can go along with it. Wouldn't it be nice though, if 2 P's both developed their decision mAking skills and leadership skills instead of being overridden all the time. 2 J's would have to see eye to eye or else there could be problems I suppose.

I don't know how INTPs could be compatible with INTPs/ENTPs. I've dated both (I am a female INTP) and these relationships drive me mad. There is no balance with an INTP-INTP relationship, and I just can't handle ENTPs. Seems like the worst of both worlds. I've had very successful working relationships with INTJs and ENTJs - I really appreciate having somebody with a long-term vision around in a professional context, especially when they are also open to intellectual debate and happy to let you achieve outlined objectives in your own way. I am not so open to being told what to do in a personal context...but I am still old-fashioned and prefer the man to make the decisions (or at least the suggestions).

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